218 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



FAMILY VIII. ACIDALID^E. 

 ACIDALIA OENATA. THE LACE BOBBER. 



(Plate X., Fig. 4.) 



This very pretty species is not at all uncommon on 

 the slopes of Box Hill, and on the woody bank on the 

 north side of Headley Lane, and, I fancy, it must occur 

 in similar chalky localities in other parts in the south of 

 England. 



The expansion of the wings is about an inch. All the 

 wings are of a pearly white, with a few faint, wavy, trans- 

 verse lines ; beyond the middle is a more distinct, almost 

 black, wavy, trans verse line, followed by two dark tawny 

 blotches on each wing, one a little below the costa, the 

 other on the inner margin, beyond these the wings are 

 clouded with pale grey, intersected by a single wavy 

 white line towards the hind margin ; the black central 

 spot is distinct in the hind-wings, but scarcely visible 

 in the fore-wings. 



The larva is brownish-ochreous, with a pale grey 

 dorsal line, and dark brown subdorsal lines, most dis- 

 tinct towards the head ; on each of the fifth to ninth 

 segments are two obtuse, dark, V-like markings ; the 

 spiracular line is pale ochreous, freckled and edged with 

 brownish. It feeds on marjoram, thyme, and mint, in 

 the autumn and spring. 



The perfect insect makes its appearance at the end oi 

 June and beginning of July ; it is easily started from its 

 repose in the daytime, and flies, of its own accord, 

 towards dusk. 



